I for inspiration.

After a prolonged absence I am attempting a comeback at blogging,

 and just needed a little inspiration.

I have done plenty of crafting in my absence from blogging, just lacked the oomf

 to sit down and blog what I have been doing.  Hope to make amends in the short term!!

At training on Wednesday, Julie challenged us all to make a project using

 the Hardwood stamp and anything out of the Annual catalogue.

My inspiration came from the Internet, where I happened upon a card by 

Narelle Famigia who is also a Stampin Up demonstrator .

This is my version.

I used The Open Sea stamp set, along with the Hardwood stamp, and used Crumb Cake

 and Night of Navy inks.  The sentiment was from Wetlands. 

I am trying to get to grips with blogging from my iPad and it has taken me ages to do this post.

I think that's what has been putting me off doing my blog.

However I will persevere and see if I can't master it!!

If anyone has any helpful tips that might be useful to me I could sure do with some help!!

The Open Sea

Here's another card that we made this week at Chris's

using The Open Sea stamp set 

The ship and the anchor were stamped then the anchor was fussy cut.

The Window Frames Collection Framelits die used to cut the stamped image of the ship.

Parkers Patterns DSP and Natural Trim ribbon and linen thread used.

Retired embossing folder used to emboss the cloudy sky.

New Designer Series Paper stack and the Open Sea.

Because I recruited 2 people in May, I could choose a free gift from 2 items 

in the New Catalogue.  I chose the 4 colour families Designer Series Paper Stacks.

(These have a value of £19.50 each - so my "free" gift was worth £78!)

I have used thin (2.5 cm wide) strips from the Night of Navy DSP in the Regals DSP stack

to make the long pennants behind the ship image (from "The Open Sea" stamp set).

This was stamped in Night of Navy, onto a die cut white circle, 

then layered on top of a Night of Navy circle.

The sentiment is from Itty Bitty Banners and cut out with the matching Framelet die.

Alan's Birthday

Yesterday was our friend Alan's birthday - and I missed it!!

Today I have made him a card and his wife Liz will take it to him tonight.

I searched the internet for inspiration using The Open Sea stamp set

and this is what I came up with.

Alan was a sailing enthusiast so will appreciate this card!

The Open Sea

Here's a card for a man - the ones that take ages to come up with an idea for!

Now I can't take credit for the design of the stamped background as Chris (sis-in-law) 

stamped a sheet of this last week at my house and kindly gave me a half of it.

I can tell you how it's done though!!

The colour combo is Crumb Cake card stock 

with Night of Navy, Marina Mist, More Mustard and Basic Grey inks

and an Ivory base card .

The solid rectangles were stamped with a blank stamp in Marina Mist, More Mustard and Basic Grey.

(Chris used the one that comes with the distressing kit)

The over-stamping was done using Night of Navy and The Open Sea stamp set.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and was stamped 

either side of the anchor by using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.

This was  then embossed using the Textured Impressions Designer frames embossing folder.

The oval shape with the sentiment on was then cut out by hand - 

sorry there isn't a punch for the outside of this oval (only the inside!).

The stamped background is matted onto the crumb Cake card and a length

of Natural Trim ribbon (available 1st February) is then stuck vertically around this.

This is then mounted onto an Ivory (or Very Vanilla) base card.

The ladies at my Tuesday class can't wait to make this!

The Open Sea

Today the card I have to show you is a card that I have cased from my SU mummy Julie

(What would I do without her for inspiration?)

The card stock is Night of Navy, Real Red and Very Vanilla.

Inks used - Night of Navy and Crumb cake.

Stamp set The Open Sea , sentiment from Petite Pairs.

White Bakers Twine.

Thanks Julie

Telescopic card - The Open Sea

Card open (above)

Card closed (below)

Today I have been over to Chris's (sis-in-law)  for our weekly crafting get-together

and we have had a very fruitful session.  We have made three cards.

This is my version of the man's card we have made.

It is a telescopic card (as you can see above)

The colour combo is Night of Navy , Bashful Blue and Whisper White.

The stamp-set is The Open Sea and the various images and sentiment

have been stamped in either Basic Gray or Night of Navy.

I am quite pleased with this but haven't decided who will receive it yet!!